[2] Planning a menu for a holiday like the Forth of July can be a lot of fun- but it can also be stressful. For this fourth, we had an out of town family visitor staying with us and planned a picnic at the local park with a view of the fireworks.

After we enjoyed our feast, we watched the fireworks. In the past five years, I’ve spent more Independence Days in Japan than in the states, and it was really nice to enjoy the holiday somewhere where it was actually being celebrated. The potato salad was cool and creamy, the grilled tofu was succulent and flavorful, and the french bread was chewy and faintly sweet, perfectly complimented by the basil-balsamic dipping oil. Menu aside, it was celebrating together that made this a holiday to remember. Happy Independence Day, all! I hope you had a delicious celebration with family and friends!